← Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course
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111.1 Virtūs virtue magnā great cum with glōriā glory venit comes
111.2 Mīlitēs soldiers virtūtem virtue in in bellō war ostendunt show
111.3 Virtūtis of virtue exemplum example omnibus to all dare to give dēbēmus we ought
111.4 Nihil nothing sine without virtūte virtue vērē truly magnum great est is
111.5 Virtūs virtue sōla alone hominem man fēlīcem happy reddit makes
111.6 Rōmānī Romans virtūte by virtue mundī of world dominī masters factī made sunt were
111.7 Dē about virtūte virtue sapientēs wise men multā many things scrīpsērunt wrote
111.8 Virtūtēs virtues quattuor four cardināles cardinal ā by philosophīs philosophers numerantur are counted
111.9 Iuvenēs young men virtūtem virtue ā from parentibus parents discere to learn dēbent ought
111.10 Virtūs virtue nōn not verbīs by words sed but factīs by deeds dēmōnstrātur is shown
111.11 Magistrātūs magistrates virtūte by virtue populī of people amōrem love merentur earn
111.12 Veterānī veterans virtūtis of virtue memoriā by memory honōrantur are honored
111.13 Virtūtem virtue in in adversīs adversities rēbus things probāre to prove difficile difficult est is
111.14 Fortitūdō courage est is virtūs virtue bellātōrum of warriors praecipua chief
111.15 Dīvīna divine virtūs virtue mortālium of mortals cordibus in hearts habitat dwells
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111.1 Virtūs magnā cum glōriā venit. Virtue comes with great glory.
111.2 Mīlitēs virtūtem in bellō ostendunt. Soldiers show virtue in war.
111.3 Virtūtis exemplum omnibus dare dēbēmus. We ought to give an example of virtue to all.
111.4 Nihil sine virtūte vērē magnum est. Nothing is truly great without virtue.
111.5 Virtūs sōla hominem fēlīcem reddit. Virtue alone makes a man happy.
111.6 Rōmānī virtūte mundī dominī factī sunt. The Romans became masters of the world through virtue.
111.7 Dē virtūte sapientēs multā scrīpsērunt. Wise men have written many things about virtue.
111.8 Virtūtēs quattuor cardināles ā philosophīs numerantur. Four cardinal virtues are counted by philosophers.
111.9 Iuvenēs virtūtem ā parentibus discere dēbent. Young men ought to learn virtue from their parents.
111.10 Virtūs nōn verbīs sed factīs dēmōnstrātur. Virtue is shown not by words but by deeds.
111.11 Magistrātūs virtūte populī amōrem merentur. Magistrates earn the people's love through virtue.
111.12 Veterānī virtūtis memoriā honōrantur. Veterans are honored by the memory of their virtue.
111.13 Virtūtem in adversīs rēbus probāre difficile est. It is difficult to prove virtue in adverse circumstances.
111.14 Fortitūdō est virtūs bellātōrum praecipua. Courage is the chief virtue of warriors.
111.15 Dīvīna virtūs mortālium cordibus habitat. Divine virtue dwells in the hearts of mortals.
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111.1 Virtūs magnā cum glōriā venit.
111.2 Mīlitēs virtūtem in bellō ostendunt.
111.3 Virtūtis exemplum omnibus dare dēbēmus.
111.4 Nihil sine virtūte vērē magnum est.
111.5 Virtūs sōla hominem fēlīcem reddit.
111.6 Rōmānī virtūte mundī dominī factī sunt.
111.7 Dē virtūte sapientēs multā scrīpsērunt.
111.8 Virtūtēs quattuor cardināles ā philosophīs numerantur.
111.9 Iuvenēs virtūtem ā parentibus discere dēbent.
111.10 Virtūs nōn verbīs sed factīs dēmōnstrātur.
111.11 Magistrātūs virtūte populī amōrem merentur.
111.12 Veterānī virtūtis memoriā honōrantur.
111.13 Virtūtem in adversīs rēbus probāre difficile est.
111.14 Fortitūdō est virtūs bellātōrum praecipua.
111.15 Dīvīna virtūs mortālium cordibus habitat.
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For English speakers learning Latin, "virtūs" presents several important grammatical features: -
Declension Pattern: -
virtūs belongs to the 3rd declension -
It's a consonant stem noun ending in -tūt- -
The stem changes from virtūs (nominative) to virtūt- in other cases
Complete Declension: -
Nominative: virtūs -
Genitive: virtūtis -
Dative: virtūtī -
Accusative: virtūtem -
Ablative: virtūte
Plural: -
Nominative: virtūtēs -
Genitive: virtūtum -
Dative: virtūtibus -
Accusative: virtūtēs -
Ablative: virtūtibus -
Case Usage Examples: -
Nominative (subject): "Virtūs sōla hominem fēlīcem reddit" (Virtue alone makes a man happy) -
Genitive (possession): "virtūtis exemplum" (example of virtue) -
Dative (indirect object): "virtūtī studēre" (to be devoted to virtue) -
Accusative (direct object): "virtūtem ostendunt" (they show virtue) -
Ablative (means/manner): "virtūte factī sunt" (they became through virtue) -
Common Constructions: -
Ablative of means: "virtūte dominī factī sunt" (they became masters through virtue) -
Genitive of characteristic: "vir magnae virtūtis" (a man of great virtue) -
Ablative absolute: "virtūte probātā" (virtue having been proven) -
Semantic Range: The Latin "virtūs" has a broader meaning than English "virtue": -
Basic meaning: excellence, worth -
Military: courage, valor, bravery -
Moral: virtue, goodness, righteousness -
Physical: strength, power, efficacy
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For English speakers, understanding "virtūs" requires grasping fundamental Roman cultural concepts: -
Roman Masculinity: -
"virtūs" derives from "vir" (man), originally meaning "manliness" -
Central to Roman identity and social expectations -
Distinguished Romans from "barbarians" and women -
Expected in both military and civilian contexts -
The Four Cardinal Virtues: -
Prudentia (prudence/wisdom): practical wisdom in decision-making -
Iustitia (justice): giving each person their due -
Fortitūdō (fortitude/courage): bravery in face of danger -
Temperantia (temperance): moderation and self-control -
Military Context: -
Virtue proven through battlefield courage -
Decorations awarded for acts of "virtūs" -
Stories of heroic virtue preserved in family traditions -
Veterans honored for their demonstrated virtue -
Political Implications: -
Virtue as qualification for leadership -
"Virtūs" versus "vitium" (vice) in political rhetoric -
Ancestral virtue as political capital -
Virtue as basis for Roman imperial mission -
Philosophical Development: -
Stoic emphasis on virtue as the only true good -
Cicero's adaptation of Greek virtue ethics -
Christian transformation of classical virtue concepts -
Modern inheritance through Renaissance humanism
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From Cicero's "De Officiis" (On Duties) 1.15:
111.1 Virtue-s great-ā with-m glory-ā come-t
111.2 Soldier-ēs virtue-m in-Ø war-ō show-unt
111.3 Virtue-is example-m all-ibus give-re ought-mus
111.4 Nothing-Ø without-e virtue-e truly-ē great-m is-t
111.5 Virtue-s alone-a man-em happy-m make-t
111.6 Roman-ī virtue-e world-ī master-ī made-ī were-unt
111.7 About-ē virtue-e wise men-ēs many thing-ā wrote-ērunt
111.8 Virtue-ēs four-or cardinal-ēs by-ā philosopher-īs counted-antur
111.9 Young men-ēs virtue-m from-ā parent-ibus learn-re ought-ent
111.10 Virtue-s not-n word-īs but-d deed-īs shown-ātur
111.11 Magistrate-ūs virtue-e people-ī love-em earn-tur
111.12 Veteran-ī virtue-is memory-ā honored-antur
111.13 Virtue-m in-n adverse-īs thing-ibus prove-re difficult-e is-t
111.14 Courage-ō is-t virtue-s warrior-um chief-a
111.15 Divine-a virtue-s mortal-um heart-ibus dwell-t
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"Omnium autem virtūtum fundamentum est virtūs ea quae fortitūdō nōminātur, sine quā cēterae virtūtēs cōnstāre nōn possunt. Haec enim perīculōrum et labōrum contemptrix est, magnārum rērum appetēns, in sententiīs stabilis, in amīcitiīs fidēlis."
However, the foundation of all virtues is that virtue which is called courage, without which the other virtues cannot stand firm. For this virtue is a despiser of dangers and toils, seeking great things, steady in opinions, faithful in friendships.
Cicero presents courage (fortitūdō) as the foundational virtue upon which all others depend. This passage demonstrates his systematic approach to virtue ethics, influenced by Stoic philosophy but adapted for Roman practical concerns.
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"Omnium virtūtum": genitive plural showing possession/characteristic -
"sine quā": ablative with preposition, relative pronoun -
"cōnstāre nōn possunt": complementary infinitive with modal verb -
"contemptrix": feminine agent noun agreeing with "virtūs" -
Series of ablative phrases: "in sententiīs," "in amīcitiīs" showing sphere of action
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Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Omnium of all autem however virtūtum virtues fundamentum foundation est is virtūs virtue ea that quae which fortitūdō courage nōminātur is called, sine without quā which cēterae other virtūtēs virtues cōnstāre to stand firm nōn not possunt are able. Haec this enim for perīculōrum of dangers et and labōrum toils contemptrix despiser est, is, magnārum great rērum things appetēns, seeking, in in sententiīs opinions stabilis, steady, in in amīcitiīs friendships fidēlis. faithful.
111.16 Sapientissimus philosophus discipulīs dē virtūte loquitur. The wisest philosopher speaks to his pupils about virtue.
111.17 Virtūs quid sit omnēs scīre cupiunt. All desire to know what virtue is.
111.18 Magistrī vōx clāra virtūtis nātūram explicat. The teacher's clear voice explains the nature of virtue.
111.19 Prīmus discipulus rogat num virtūs ūna sit an plūrēs. The first pupil asks whether virtue is one or many.
111.20 Philosophus respondet virtūtēs quattuor esse praecipuās. The philosopher replies that there are four chief virtues.
111.21 Harum virtūtum prīma est sapientia quae mentem illūminat. The first of these virtues is wisdom, which illuminates the mind.
111.22 Secunda virtūs est iustitia quā ius cuique tribuitur. The second virtue is justice, by which right is given to each person.
111.23 Tertia fortitūdō nōminatur quae in perīculīs animum firmat. The third is called courage, which strengthens the spirit in dangers.
111.24 Quārta dēnique temperantia cupiditātēs moderātur atque frēnat. The fourth, finally, is temperance, which controls and restrains desires.
111.25 Alter discipulus quaerit quōmodo virtūs acquīrātur. Another pupil asks how virtue is acquired.
111.26 Virtūtem nēmō sine studiō et exercitātiōne adipīscī potest. No one can obtain virtue without study and practice.
111.27 Exempla virtūtis ā maiōribus nostrīs petenda sunt. Examples of virtue must be sought from our ancestors.
111.28 Tertius audītor dīcit sē virtūtem magis factīs quam verbīs aestimāre. The third listener says he values virtue more by deeds than by words.
111.29 Omnēs conveniunt virtūtem esse vītae summum bonum. All agree that virtue is the highest good of life.
111.30 Philosophus cōnclūdit sine virtūte vītam beātam esse nōn posse. The philosopher concludes that life cannot be happy without virtue.
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111.16 Sapientissimus philosophus discipulīs dē virtūte loquitur.
111.17 Virtūs quid sit omnēs scīre cupiunt.
111.18 Magistrī vōx clāra virtūtis nātūram explicat.
111.19 Prīmus discipulus rogat num virtūs ūna sit an plūrēs.
111.20 Philosophus respondet virtūtēs quattuor esse praecipuās.
111.21 Harum virtūtum prīma est sapientia quae mentem illūminat.
111.22 Secunda virtūs est iustitia quā ius cuique tribuitur.
111.23 Tertia fortitūdō nōminatur quae in perīculīs animum firmat.
111.24 Quārta dēnique temperantia cupiditātēs moderātur atque frēnat.
111.25 Alter discipulus quaerit quōmodo virtūs acquīrātur.
111.26 Virtūtem nēmō sine studiō et exercitātiōne adipīscī potest.
111.27 Exempla virtūtis ā maiōribus nostrīs petenda sunt.
111.28 Tertius audītor dīcit sē virtūtem magis factīs quam verbīs aestimāre.
111.29 Omnēs conveniunt virtūtem esse vītae summum bonum.
111.30 Philosophus cōnclūdit sine virtūte vītam beātam esse nōn posse.
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In philosophical dialogue, "virtūs" appears in sophisticated grammatical constructions that English speakers must master: -
Indirect Questions with "virtūs": -
Original: "Virtūs quid sit omnēs scīre cupiunt" -
Analysis: "quid sit" = indirect question with subjunctive -
Pattern: [Question word] + [subjunctive verb] in indirect discourse -
Similar: "Rogant ubi virtūs habiteat" (They ask where virtue dwells) -
Double Questions (num...an): -
Original: "rogat num virtūs ūna sit an plūrēs" -
Analysis: "num...an" = whether...or construction -
Both verbs in subjunctive: "sit" (3rd sing.), understood "sint" (3rd pl.) -
Pattern: num + [subjunctive] an + [subjunctive] -
Indirect Statement with "virtūs": -
Original: "respondet virtūtēs quattuor esse praecipuās" -
Analysis: accusative + infinitive construction -
"virtūtēs" = accusative subject, "esse" = infinitive -
Pattern: [reporting verb] + [accusative subject] + [infinitive] -
Relative Clauses with Antecedent "virtūs": -
Original: "sapientia quae mentem illūminat" -
Analysis: "quae" agrees with feminine "sapientia" -
Relative pronoun takes case from its function in relative clause -
Pattern: [antecedent] + [relative pronoun] + [verb] -
Ablative of Means with "virtūs": -
Original: "quā ius cuique tribuitur" -
Analysis: "quā" = ablative feminine, means/instrument -
"iustitia" understood as antecedent -
Pattern: [ablative relative] + [passive verb] -
Gerundive of Obligation: -
Original: "exempla virtūtis petenda sunt" -
Analysis: passive periphrastic showing necessity -
"petenda" agrees with "exempla" (neuter plural) -
Pattern: [gerundive] + [form of sum] = "must be [verb]ed" -
Comparative Constructions: -
Original: "magis factīs quam verbīs" -
Analysis: ablative of means with comparative adverb -
"magis...quam" = more...than pattern -
Both ablatives show means/manner -
Complex Subordination: -
Original: "cōnclūdit sine virtūte vītam beātam esse nōn posse" -
Analysis: indirect statement within concluding statement -
"vītam" = accusative subject of infinitive -
"esse" + infinitive = compound infinitive construction -
Substantive Clauses: -
Original: "conveniunt virtūtem esse vītae summum bonum" -
Analysis: indirect statement after verb of agreement -
"virtūtem esse" = accusative + infinitive -
Objective genitive: "vītae summum bonum"
These constructions demonstrate how philosophical Latin uses "virtūs" in: -
Complex logical arguments -
Systematic classifications -
Abstract conceptual discussions -
Ethical reasoning patterns
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